Manual torsional exerciser

ABSTRACT

An exerciser which includes first and second interlocked tubular members each having outer and inner end parts. The second tubular member has its inner end part fitting within the inner end part of the first such member with one tubular member being rotative relative to the other. An elongated torsional member for resisting rotation of the tubular members is positioned within the members and extends from the outer end part of one member to the outer end part of the other member. Each outer end part of the tubular members carries a retainer device for releasably engaging one end of the torsional member. Each torsional member retainer device is adapted to accommodate several torsional members of various sizes.

United States Patent 1191 Griffin 1 51 Jan. 2, 1973 s41 MANUAL TORSIONAL EXERCISER 3,229,514 11/1966 Williams ..73/|36 A [76] Inventor: Benjamin John Griffin, P. O. Box

La Porte, Ind. 46350 FOREIGN PATEGNTS OR APPLICATIONS 338,019 6/1921 erman ..272 68 Flledl p 24, 1970 376,607 7 1932 Great Br imin 272168 [21] Appl. No.: 75,211

Primary Examiner-R1chard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Richard .I. A'pley U.S-

..272/67, A, A, Aftorney oltsch and Knoblock 272/57 R, 272/DIG. '4 [51] Int. Cl. ..A63b 21/22 57 ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search.....272/57 R, 67, 68, 79 R, 83 R,

272/83 A, DIG 5; 73/379, 380 133 R 136 An exerclser WhlCh includes first and second nter- R, 136 A436 128/2 N 2 S 25 26 locked tubular members each havmg outer and 1nner end parts. The second tubular member has its inner [56] References Cited end part fitting within the inner end part of the first such member with one tubular member being rotative UNITED STATES PATENTS relative to the other. An elongated torsional member for resisting rotation of the tubular members is posi- 3330558 7/1967 tioned within the members and extends from the outer 3,163,037 12/1964 3,134,590 5/1964 end part of one member to the outer end part of the 3,403,906 10/1968 other member. Each outer end part of the tubular 2,219,632 10/1940 members carries a retainer device for releasably en- 2, ,055 2 1954 gaging one end of the torsional member. Each tor- 2,821,394 1/1958 sional member retainer device is adapted to accom- 3,084,5 7 9 modate several torsional members of various sizes. 3,184,234 5/1965 3,211,453 10/1954 11 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJM 21913 SHEET 1 UF 2 JNVENTOR BENJAMIN d. GR/FF/N A TTOR NE YS' PATENTEDJAN 2 I975 3. 7018, 164

sum 2 0F 2 INVEN T 0R. BE Nr/A MIN (1 GR/FF/N ATTORNEYS MANUAL TORSIONAL EXERCISER SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an exercising device and has particular application to a manual exerciser utilizing torsional action.

The exerciser of this invention includes first and second tubular members each having outer and inner end parts. The inner end part of the second tubular member fits within the inner end part of the first tubular member with the tubular members being rotative relative to eachother about a common longitudinal axis and interlocked so as to prevent their separation. A torsional member is positioned within the tubular members and extends from the outer end part of one tubular member to the outer end part of the other tubular member. Each outer end part of the tubular members carries a retainer means for releasably engaging one end of the torsional member so that the torsional member will be placed under a torsional stress upon rotation'of one tubular member relative to the other. Each torsional member retainer means is adapted to accommodate torsional members of various sizes to allow the user of the exerciser to select a specific torsional member which will provide the torsional resistance desired by the user upon rotation of the tubular members.

This manual exerciser has application to development of the hands, wrists and arms, and provides multiple reciprocal interaction between the flexor, extensor and other muscles. The exerciser is isotonic during relative rotative movement of the tubular members. The exerciser may include stop means which limits the extend of rotative movement of the tubular members and which permits the device to perform isometric functions when the tubular members are rotated to their limit position. The outer end parts of the tubular members are designed to be grasped by the user of the exercise device and are adapted to carry gripping disks by which variations in muscular involvement can be ef fected.

The tubular members of theexerciser also serve as an axle for a wheel attachment which permits the user of the deviceto grasp the outer end parts of the tubular members while kneeling on the floor.. The exerciser with the wheel attachment resting on the floor in front of the user is then alternately pushed outwardly and pulled back while the user remains on his knees. The exercising device when used with the wheel attachment serves as an excellent means of toning and conditioning the stomach and back muscles.

- Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a manual 'exerciserwhich is of simple and economical construction and which can be adjusted to vary the amount of exertive effort required to actuate the exerciser. a

Another object of this invention is to provide a torsional exercising device in whichthe resistance to its exercising movement can be varied in a simple and rapid manner to accommodate a particular user.

Still another objectof this invention is to provide a torsional exercising device which is manually actuated and which provides both isotonic and isometric exercise functions.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a manual exercising device which can be simply modified to accommodate exercising of the feet.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent upon a reading of the invention s description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the exercising device shown with the wheel attachment secured thereto.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the exercising device shown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The preferred embodiment illustrated is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its application and practical use to thereby enable other skilled in the art to best utilize the invention.

The exerciser shown as the illustrated embodiment includes tubular members 10 and] 12. Tubular member 12 has an inner end part 14 which is circular in cross section and of a reduced transverse dimension and which fits with slight clearance within inner end part 16 of member 10 which is also circular in cross section. The overlapped outer surface of tubular member end part 14 preferably has an annular groove 18 formed therein. Tubular member 10 has at least one and preferably three or more threaded apertures 20 spaced circumferentially about its inner end part 16. Apertures 20 are preferably spaced an equal distance apart with each aperture being aligned with groove 18 in inner end part 14. A screw 22 is turned into each aperture 20 with the end of the screw protruding with slight clearance into groove 18 so as to prevent separation of tubular members 10 and 12 and still permit rotative movement of one tubular member relative to the other. Inner end part 16 of tubular member 10 is preferably formed with internal abutment faces 24 located adjacent the end 26 of inner end part 14 of tubular member 12. Abutment faces 24 of inner end part 16 are preferably spaced approximately 180 apart with inner end part 14 of tubular member 12 including a' protruding stop 28 which extends outwardly from its end face 26. Stop 28 is preferably positioned an equal angular distance between abutment faces 24 and is located so as to abut or engage one of the end faces 24 upon rotative or twisting movement of one tubular member relative to the other.

Each outer end part 30 of tubular members 10 and 12 includes athickened wall portion 32 which defines a non-circular outer opening 34. A torsional member 36 is disposed within tubular membersv 10 and 12 and along the common longitudinal axis of the tubular V I members. Torsional member 36 may be formed from spring steel having any one of a variety of cross sectional shapes, such as the flat rectangular shape illustrated in the drawings. Torsional member 36 extends from'one outer end part 30 to the other outer end part 30 of tubular members 10 and 12 and is secured to the tubular members at its end parts 56 by retainer devices 38. Each retainer device 38 includes an anchor or plug part 40 which is non-circular and which fits, compleinner face 43 of each retainer device plug part 40. Each socket part 48 is preferably positioned at the common longitudinal axis of tubular members and 12 and defines stepped sockets 50, 52 and 54. Each socket of the retainer devices preferably has a non-circular cross section and is adapted to receive a non-circular end part of the torsional member so as to rotatably interlock the end parts of the torsional member to the retainer devices. Referring to the illustrated embodiment, torsional member 36 has its respective end parts 56 complementally received within sockets 50 of retainer devices 38 so that rotative or twisting movement of one tubular member relative to the other will cause the torsional member to be twisted or placed in a torsional stress.

To vary the torsional resistance of tubular members 10 and 12, a plurality of torsional members of different sizes is provided with sockets 50, 52 and 54 each being adapted to accommodate a particular sized torsional member.

The outer end parts 30 of the tubular members preferably have the same outer diameter with the outer surfaces thereof having longitudinal grooves or indentations 57 formed therein to allow the user of the exercising device to firmly grasp the outer end parts. An end disk 58 may be carried at the end of each outer end part 30 of the tubular members. Each end disk 58 has a non-circular central opening 60 and is fitted over an outer end part 30 with the end part being complementally received within opening 60. End disks 58 are retained on the tubular members by means of set screws 62 which are inserted through apertures in the end disks and turned into threaded aligned openings in outer end parts 30. Each end disk 58 includes a circumferentially grooved outer margin 64 which allows the user of the exerciser to firmly grasp the disks in order to effect controlled twistingaction of tubular members 10 and 12.

A wheel assembly 66 for rotation upon the floor may be carried by tubular members 10 and 12 intermediate the outer end parts 30 thereof. Wheel assembly 66 includes a hub 68 which is journaled upon inner end part 16 of tubular member 10 and which is retained in longitudinal position relative to the tubular members by means of annular ribs 70 and 72 formed upon tubular members 10 and 12 respectively. Wheel assembly 66 includes a rim part 74 which carries a rubber tire 76.

Of particular importance in the use of the exercising device of this invention is the fact that the torsional resistance of the exercising device can be varied by inserting different sized torsional members within the device. A substitution of one torsional member for another can be simply accomplished by removing one snap ring 46 so as to permit the retainer device 38 retained by the snap ring to be removed from the-tubular member outer opening 34 in which it is held. Once the retainer device is removed from the tubular member, the torsional bar carried within the tubular members can be pulled lengthwise through the outer opening 34 vacated by the retainer device and another torsional bar of selected size inserted into the tubular members with the distant end part thereof being fitted into a complemental socket of the remaining retainer device 38. Once the substituted torsional member has been so positioned within the tubular members, the removed retainer device 38 is reinserted into the vacant outer opening 34 with the proximate end of the substituted torsional member being fitted within a complemental socket in the retainer device. The fit between retainer devices 38 and their respective tubular member outer end parts 30 while being complemental is not sufficiently snug so as to prevent the withdrawal of the retainer devices when it is desired to change torsion members. Once the retainer device has been reinserted into opening 34, the snap ring 46 is reinserted into its receiving groove so as to lock the retainer device in position.

It is to be understood that while it is preferred to substitute torsional members by the simple removal of one retainer device 38, such a substitution could be accomplished by the removal of screws 22 and the separation of tubular members 10 and 12. It is also to be understood that for many uses of the exerciser of this invention, it would not be desirable to have wheel assembly 66 mounted to the tubular members. In such circumstances, the wheel assembly may be removed by removing screws 22 and separating the tubular members so as to allow the wheel assembly to be slid off of inner end part 16 of tubular member 10. End disks 58 may be readily detached from tubular members 10 and 12 by the removal of screws 62 so as to permit the exercising device to be utilized without the end disks attached thereto.

When it is desired to utilize the device as a foot exerciser and circulation stimulating means, end disks 58 will be secured to the outer end parts 30 of the tubular members with wheel assembly 66 being removed. The exercising device is positioned upon the floor with grooved margins 64 of the disks making floor contact. The foot of the user is placed upon tubular members 10 and 12 between end disks 58 and moved back and forth to cause the exercising device to experience a reciprocating rolling action. Such a rolling jaction causes a vibrational stimulation in the foot which is effected by the grooves 78 in margins 64 of the end disks and the longitudinal indentations 57 in the end parts of the tubular members.

It is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the details herein given but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

'1. An exerciser comprising first and second tubular members each having outer and inner end parts, said second tubular member having its inner end part fitting within the inner end part of said first tubular member, said first and second tubular members having a common longitudinal axis with said first tubular member being rotative about said axis relative to said second tubular member, means interlocking the tubular members so as to prevent separation of said tubular members, a torsional member of predetermined size and configuration positioned within said tubular members and extending from the outer end part of said first tubularmember to the outer end part of said second tubular member, each outer end part carrying a torsional member retainer means releasably engaging one end of said torsional member wherein said torsional member will be placed under a torsional stress upon rotation of said first tubular member relative to said second tubular member, each retainer means being elongated in the direction of said longitudinalaxis and including torsional member engaging aperture means similarly elongated and being of varying size and configuration for accommodating said torsional member, each retainer means being separable from said first mentioned torsional member to permit the substitution of another torsional member of a different size and/or configuration for said first mentioned torsional member whereby the resistance to rotation of said first tubular member relative to said second tubular member may be varied.

2. The exerciser of claim 1 wherein each of said torsional member engaging aperture means includes a socket part defining stepped sockets each adapted to releasably engage an end of a torsional member of specific size.

3. The exerciser of claim 2 wherein each end of said specific sized torsional member is non-circular in cross section and is complementally received within a said socket of a said torsional member engaging aperture means.

4. The exerciser of claim 1 and means releasably connecting one of said retainer means to its said tubular member outer end part whereby said one retainer means may be separated from its said tubular member and first mentioned torsional member to allow another torsional member to be substituted for said first mentioned torsional member.

5. The exerciser of claim 4 wherein said one retainer means includes a plug part, the outer end part which carries said one retainer means having a non-circular opening therein, said plug part fitting complementally within said opening.

6. The exerciser of claim 5 wherein said openingdefining outer end part includes an internal shoulder against which the inner face of said plug partabuts when fitted within said opening, a releasable locking means secured to said opening-defining outer end part and abutting the outer face of said plug part.

7. The exerciser of claim 1 and stop means carried by said first and second tubular members limiting the degree of rotation of said first tubular member relative to said second tubular member.

8. The exerciser of claim 1 including a pair of spaced disk parts each secured to a said outer end part.

9. The exerciser of claim 8 wherein each outer end part has a plurality of circumferentially spaced and longitudinally directed grooves formed in its outer surface and each disk part has a plurality of circumferentially spaced grooves formed in its periphery.

10. The exerciser of claim 1 and including a wheel carried by said tubular members and located between said outer end parts, said wheel being rotatable relative to said tubular members about their common longitudinal axis.

11. The exerciser of claim 10 and disk parts secured to said outer end parts, said wheel extending beyond the periphery of said dislr parts 

1. An exerciser comprising first and second tubular members each having outer and inner end parts, said second tubular member having its inner end part fitting within the inner end part of said first tubular member, said first and second tubular members having a common longitudinal axis with said first tubular member being rotative about said axis relative to said second tubular member, means interlocking the tubular members so as to prevent separation of said tubular members, a torsional member of predetermined size and configuration positioned within said tubular members and extending from the outer end part of said first tubular member to the outer end part of said second tubular member, each outer end part carrying a torsional member retainer means releasably engaging one end of said torsional member wherein said torsional member will be placed under a torsional stress upon rotation of said first tubular member relative to said second tubular member, each retainer means being elongated in the direction of said longitudinal axis and including torsional member engaging aperture means similarly elongated and being of varying size and configuration for accommodating said torsional member, each retainer means being separable from said first mentioned torsional member to permit the substitution of another torsional member of a different size and/or configuration for said first mentioned torsional member whereby the resistance to rotation of said first tubular member relative to said second tubular member may be varied.
 2. The exerciser of claim 1 wherein each of said torsional member engaging aperture means includes a socket part defining stepped sockets each adapted to releasably engage an end of a torsional member of specific size.
 3. The exerciser of claim 2 wherein each end of said specific sized torsional member Is non-circular in cross section and is complementally received within a said socket of a said torsional member engaging aperture means.
 4. The exerciser of claim 1 and means releasably connecting one of said retainer means to its said tubular member outer end part whereby said one retainer means may be separated from its said tubular member and first mentioned torsional member to allow another torsional member to be substituted for said first mentioned torsional member.
 5. The exerciser of claim 4 wherein said one retainer means includes a plug part, the outer end part which carries said one retainer means having a non-circular opening therein, said plug part fitting complementally within said opening.
 6. The exerciser of claim 5 wherein said opening-defining outer end part includes an internal shoulder against which the inner face of said plug part abuts when fitted within said opening, a releasable locking means secured to said opening-defining outer end part and abutting the outer face of said plug part.
 7. The exerciser of claim 1 and stop means carried by said first and second tubular members limiting the degree of rotation of said first tubular member relative to said second tubular member.
 8. The exerciser of claim 1 including a pair of spaced disk parts each secured to a said outer end part.
 9. The exerciser of claim 8 wherein each outer end part has a plurality of circumferentially spaced and longitudinally directed grooves formed in its outer surface and each disk part has a plurality of circumferentially spaced grooves formed in its periphery.
 10. The exerciser of claim 1 and including a wheel carried by said tubular members and located between said outer end parts, said wheel being rotatable relative to said tubular members about their common longitudinal axis.
 11. The exerciser of claim 10 and disk parts secured to said outer end parts, said wheel extending beyond the periphery of said disk parts. 